Major recruitment drive for firefighters across North Wales

A MASSIVE recruitment drive has been launched for firefighters across North Wales.

North Wales Fire and Rescue service is look for part-time retainer (RDS) crews, male or female, to respond to callouts and provide “essential fire and emergency cover” at stations across the region.

The campaign has been launched in the wake of several Fire Brigades Union strikes, the latest of which ended on July 21, which has seen the service’s resources pressured during important periods, including Christmas.

Ruth Simmons, assistant chief fire officer, said: “We are looking for suitable individuals, in particular those available during the day, who can travel to their local fire station within five or six minutes of being paged for a call out.

"These people may have other roles such as builders, shopkeepers, nurses, factory workers, housewives or homeworkers during working hours but we would ask that, in addition, retained firefighters are available to attend emergency incidents as and when required.”

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a “good standard” of physical fitness and pass aptitude tests.

In addition to their monthly retaining fees, payments are made for turnouts, attendance and drill nights.